Why we Need Trees in Urban Environments:
Having trees in cities helps in so many ways! Trees make our cities cooler, clean the air we breathe, and give homes to birds, insects, and other animals. They help keep nature healthy, even in busy places!
The Challenge:
As we experience warmer summers in the UK, some of our trees are having a hard time adapting to the changes. So we need to find trees that are used to sunnier, warmer climates.
How They’re Tackling the Challenge:
In Hackney, London, a group called the Tree Musketeers is taking on this challenge. They are trying out trees that normally grow in the Mediterranean and Middle East where it’s hotter. Marcelo, one of the Tree Musketeers, is enjoying growing different types of trees to see which ones are best in our warmer cities.
Reasons to Be Hopeful:
Marcelo thinks he might have even created a brand-new type, (cultivar) of Middle Eastern Ash tree that’s never been grown before!
Cultivar is short for cultivated - a cultivar is a plant or tree that has been created by humans for specific desirable characteristics - usually ones that enable them to grow well in their new environment.
So it will be exciting to see how,this new cultivar of Middle Eastern Ash, that Marcelo has created, gets on in London.
The Tree Musketeers receive funding from Hackney Council who enable them to grow trees from seeds and experiment with different ones to see which ones are best for London and other cities.
This teamwork allows the Tree Musketeers to find the trees that are happiest in Hackney, and the council gets the best trees for the area based on the Musketeers’ recommendations.
Together, they’re creating not only a beautiful green environment but also a fun and inspiring place for all involved!
Visit their website to find out more: https://www.treemusketeers.org.uk
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